Two veteran executives have been promoted to major posts at Clear Channel – with Tom Poleman heading a new National Programming Platforms organization and Michele Laven heading national Strategic Relationships. The Poleman promotion also set in motion a programming reorganization.
In her new position as Executive Vice President of Clear Channel Strategic Partnerships, Laven will expand Clear Channel’s efforts around developing alliances with key national distribution partners, and creating integrated advertising and marketing campaigns across all Clear Channel platforms. She will also focus on distribution agreements for iHeartRadio. Laven will report to CC Radio CEO John Hogan.
In his new role as President of National Programming Platforms, Poleman will lead a new National Programming Platforms group, which will oversee music and event marketing, label and artist relations, on-air talent development, creating a network of format brand managers and digital programming. He will also be responsible for using the company’s programming expertise to enhance iHeartRadio. He will also report to Hogan.
“With 237 million listeners a month, 850 broadcast stations across the country, and the 30 million monthly users of our online and mobile products, including iHeartRadio, one of the most popular digital radio services, no other media company comes close to Clear Channel’s reach, scale and promotional power,” said John Hogan. “In their new roles, Tom and Michele will harness the company’s national scale, local engagement, multiple platforms and relationships to benefit advertising and marketing partners.”
Some other appointments were made in conjunction with the creation of the National Programming Platforms Group:
Tom Owens, formerly Executive Vice President of Programming Development, will become Executive Vice President of Programming Research and Strategy, reporting to Hogan.
Darren Davis will become Senior Vice President, General Manager of National Programming Platforms, leading the programming operations center and reporting to Poleman. Davis was previously Senior Vice President of National Distribution.
Jeff Littlejohn will become Executive Vice President of Engineering and Systems Integration, reporting to Hogan. He was previously Executive Vice President of Distribution.
